Package filling spout for ice cream machines



R. J. H. LANE March 28, 1950 PACKAGE FILLING SPOUT FOR ICE CREAM MACHINES v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 7, l9 18 INVENTOR. Rickard J]i.Lane BY HTTYS March 28, 1950 R. J. H. LANE 2,502,329

PACKAGE FILLING SPOUT FOR ICE CREAM MACHINES Filed Sept. 7, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ru -.3 q

Patented Mar. 28, 1950 PACKAGE FILLING SPOUT FOR ICE CREAM MACHINES Richard J. H. Lane, Santa Cruz, Calif. Application September 7, 1948, Serial No. 47,996

a l This invention-relates to, and it is an object to provide, a package filling spout unit for ice cream machines of the type known as batch freezers, and which machines are operativeto feed soft ice cream. Conventionally this'type of machine is fitted with a discharge spout not readily adaptable to packaging the ice cream in paper cartons.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a spout unit, for ice cream machines, adapted for effective use to fill paper cartons, such as pints andquarts, with ice cream; the spout unit being designed so that open-ended paper cartons can be applied, manually and successively, to the spout conveniently and quickly, whereby the output is substantial.

Another obiectof the invention is to provide a package filling spout unit, as above, which includes a novel valve assembly for controlling the flow of, ice cream, fed from the machine, through the spout.

A further object of the invention is to provide a package filling spout unit adapted to be applied as an attachment to existing batch type ice cream machines, or can be an accessory to the machine as manufactured.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a package filling spout unit which is simple in construction, whereby it can be manufactured economically.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable package filling spout unit, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of an ice cream machine, shown somewhat diagrammatic, with the spout unit mounted thereon; the valve being closed. 1

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but shows the valve removed to open the spout unit.

Fig.4 is an enlarged cross section on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the charactersof reference on the drawings, the numeral I indicates generally the forward end portion of an ice cream machine of the type known in the trade as a batch freezer, which machine is op- 1 Claim. (01. 222 -561) 2 I v erative to feed soft ice cream as a continuous stream for the duration of each batch.

At its forward end portion I the ice cream machine includes an acce-s plate 2 normally maintained in a closed position by a latched retention bar 3; the access plate including, adjacent the top thereof. a filling hopper 4, through which the ingredients are poured into the machine.

Below the closure bar 3 the machine is fitted with the spout unit, indicated generally at 5, which forms the subject of the present invention.

The ac ess plate 2 is provided, below'the closure bar 3, with a mounting base 6 which defines an ice cream discharge opening I; the machine being operative to feed soft ice cream outwardly through the opening 1 in a continuous stream. A valve casing 8 is secured to the mounting base 60f the acce s plate 2 and projects forwardly therefrom; such valve casing 8 including a passage or throat 9 which matches the ice cream discharge opening I. The valve casing B is of limited extent longitudinally, and its forward end is cut at a downward and inward incline.

A supporting plate H] is affixed to the outer end of a valve casing 83, in matching face to face relation, by means of screws II. The supporting plate ii! is formed as a laterally radiating flange on the inner end of a spout 12, thus supporting said spout in fixed relation to the valve casing 8 in communication with passage 9. The spout I2 is rectangu ar in cross section and projects from the plate H] at a forward and downward incline for engagement in a package, as will be explained hereinafter.

The passage 9 through the valve casing 8 is normally closed by a wedge-shaped valve l3, rectangular in front elevation, which projects downwardly through a matching slot M in the top of the valve casing 8. When the wedge-shaped valve i3 is in its fully closed position, its lower end engages in a matching, internal groove or channel l5 in the lower portion of the valve casing 8. This groove or channel extends up both sides of said valve casing 8, as shown.

The fully lowered or closed position of the wedge shaped valve is shown in Figs. 1 and 2; the valve then preventing any flow of ice cream through the spout l2.

When the spout unit 5 is to be used for filling ice cream packages or cartons, the wedge shaped valve I3 is first removed from said spout unit by pulling upwardly thereon; there being a forwardly projecting handle l6, for this purpose, on the valve l3 adjacent its upper end. Once the valve I3 is removed, soft ice cream begins to flow through the opening 1, passage 9, and spout l2. The ice cream cartons, one of which is indicated at H, are then engaged, manually and successively, with the spout l2 in carton filling relation; the spout fitting closely in the open end of each such carton. As each carton fills, it is removed and another is immediately replaced; the operation being accomplished quickly, readily, and conveniently, by hand, so that production is substantial. When the wedge-shaped valve #3 is removed, for use of'the spout unit 5, it is necessary to close the slot M, as otherwise soft ice cream would escape upwardly therethroughg; such closure of the slot l4 being accomplished as follows:

The top of the valve casing 8 is.formed,w-ith a transverse guideway l8 which extends along the' slot M for the full length of :thezlatter, and: opens to one side of said casing. A flat, elongated, shutter- I9 is slidably engaged in said transverse guideway l8; being initially retracted to a posi tion clear of the slot- M, as Fig". 1, to permit of engagement? of't'he valve 1 3 through; said Slot. However, when the valve: I3 is removed for; use of? the spout unit 5; as ilI.Eig. 3; the shutter Hi i advanced until it cl'osesthepslot l4; there-bepresent and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, the followin is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

A. spout unit" for anice cream machine which includes a mounting member having an ice cream discharge opening therethrough, said spout unit comprising a valve casing secured in matching engagernentwithv said mounting member, there being a passage in the valve casing communicating with saidopening in the mounting member, a spout-in communication with and projecting forward; fromzthe; valve casing, means securing the spout to said valve casing, the latter having a transverse slot in the top thereof, a plate-like valve projecting through the slot in matching relation: and closing said.passage, the valve being manually" removable from above, and a normally retracted; shuttermounted on the valve casing for sliding: motion to-close the slot when the-valve is removed.

RICHARD J. H. LANE.

REFERENCES GITEB' The following references are of record in file of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 771,918: Munn: Oct. 11, 1904 878,443; Young Feb. 4, 1908 917,649 Otto Apr. 6, 1909 l=,701;97l1 Chesson .;Feb. 12, 1929 

